GPOYW: Going Back

In the summer of 2004 I approached Cam at a Velvet Teen show that he organized at Plan 9. Why they had to play there a mix of two dozen fans and shoppers, rather than a real-deal show at a club baffled me. He had recently approached another mutual friend, Paige, with similar frustrations but she was in the process of quitting the booking game and turned down his requests.

We convinced her to join us and over the next few years booked shows for Death From Above 1979, Ted Leo, Hella, The Mercury Program, Out Hud, Atmosphere and Lucero. Looking over the list I forgot that I was responsible for These Arms Are Snakes, Torche, Calvin Johnson, Japanther, Pelican, Mono, Matt & Kim, Joe Lally, Vaz, Des Ark and Bella Lea.

Now six years later, the torch long since passed to other groups (both younger and more professional) I’m still proud of the work we did and continue to look towards other ways to bring awesome shit to Richmond. One of the things I love about this city is that there’s a friendly (I believe it’s friendly) competition between those trying to make the city a better place, and we’re perpetually inspired by each other. So here’s to keeping that going in any way that you can; I know I’m still trying.

(photo by Chris Lacroix).